John Moran Auctioneers December 8, 2009, Antique, Fine Jewelry & Decorative Art Auction John Moran Auctioneers will present fine silver, glass, porcelain, furniture, rugs, clocks, and European paintings as well as their largest and finest offering of jewelry and watches of the year at th
Continuing to expand their presence in the modern design market, John Moran is delighted to offer fresh from the estate of the original owner a set of twelve walnut low-back dining armchairs by the master craftsman Sam Maloof, who recently passed away after a long and illustrious career. Signed by Maloof and dated July 1971, these chairs are a re-interpretation of his original 1952 design. As Maloof’s sculptor’s sensibilities grew more refined he often re-worked designs with a more graceful line, while maintaining their utilitarian qualities. The set is estimated at $18,000 – 25,000. Also offered are a Frank Lloyd Wright oak side chair reputedly from Los Angeles’s Hollyhock House and a Le Corbusier LC3 style chair & ottoman.
Yet another example of exquisite craftsmanship is on display in an unusually large Italian micromosaic panel made in the famous Vatican City workshops, founded in 1576. Depicting a Baroque era man and woman in a wine cellar, the minutely detailed piece is offered for $20,000 – 30,000 by the family of the original owner who purchased it from the workshop in the 1950’s.
December at John Moran also brings an abundance of sterling silver, including a Buccellati 'Rigato' flatware service for eight ($2,500 – 3,500), a Towle 'Old Mirror' flatware service ($1,500 – 2,000), a Gorham 'Plymouth' coffee and tea service ($2,000 – 2,500), and a set of twelve Kalo plates ($1,200 – 1,800). One of the more unusual finds in the sale is a 20th century Christofle silver-plated roast beef wagon of the type used tableside in grand restaurants. It’s expected to bring $5,000 – 10,000.
Collectors will also find rugs including Aubusson & Savonnerie style, Ferahan Sarouk, Isfahan and Kirman; bronzes, including Jean-Louis Gregoire’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’, Austrian cold-painted figures and a Tiffany Studios gilt-bronze and enameled 'Zodiac' letter rack; and porcelain including Paris, Meissen, K.P.M. and Royal Worcester.
Prior to the fully catalogued Evening Sale 150 other select items will be offered in the afternoon Discovery Sale, an uncatalogued, no-reserve auction of jewelry, silver, porcelain, glass, furniture and California, American and European paintings sold to the floor only.
The Discovery Sale will start at 3pm, followed by the fully catalogued Evening Sale at 6:30pm. Previewing starts at 12 noon. All John Moran Auctions are held at the Pasadena Convention Center at 300 East Green St, Pasadena, CA. A fully illustrated catalog of the evening sale will be available on Moran’s website at johnmoran.com. Bidding for this session is available from the floor, by absentee, phone, and internet via Artfact.com. For more information about this sale or to consign, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com
